The following
visualization is an instrument to develop higher potentialities of human mind.
It destroys old vicious circles of negative emotions, and makes room for a
cultural regeneration.

Being a practical exercise, it helps citizens to
become conscious of the fact that their thoughts co-create the future,
individual and collective. As a meditation, it is based on a natural law which
H.P.B. examined at length in her 1877 masterpiece “Isis Unveiled”.

She wrote:

“Given a certain intensity of will, and the shapes
created by the mind become subjective. Hallucinations, they are called,
although to their creator they are real as any visible object is to anyone
else. Given a more intense and intelligent concentration of this will, and the
form becomes concrete, visible, objective; the man has learned the secret of
secrets; he is a MAGICIAN.” [1]

In the same book the Russian theosophist added:

“When psychology and physiology become worthy of the
name of sciences, Europeans will be convinced of the weird and formidable
potency existing in the human will and imagination, whether exercised
consciously or otherwise. And yet, how easy to realize such power in spirit,
if we only think of that grand truism in nature that every most insignificant
atom in it is moved by spirit, which is one in its
essence, for the least particle of it represents the whole; and
that matter is but the concrete copy of the abstract idea, after all.” [2]

In “The Secret Doctrine”, while quoting some
paragraphs from Mr. Subba Row, HPB wrote about the - “mysterious power of
thought which enables it to produce external, perceptible, phenomenal results
by its own inherent energy. The ancients held that any idea will
manifest itself externally if one’s attention is deeply concentrated upon it.
Similarly an intense volition will be followed by the desired result.” [3]

The theosophical effort has a long term purpose. Its
aim is to “evoke” and make active in our mankind the higher potentialities of
human nature so that new and better civilizations can emerge. For this reason,
one finds in the Mahatma Letters the following lines from a Master of the
Wisdom:

“…We are content to live as we do - unknown and
undisturbed by a civilization which rests so exclusively upon intellect. Nor do
we feel in any way concerned about the revival of our ancient arts and high
civilization, for these are as sure to come back in their time, and in a higher
form as the Plesiosaurus and the Megatherium in theirs. We have the
weakness to believe in ever recurrent cycles and hope to quicken the
resurrection of what is past and gone. We could not impede it
even if we would. The ‘new civilization’ will be but the child of the old one,
and we have but to leave the eternal law to take its own course to have our
dead ones come out of their graves; yet, we are certainly anxious to hasten the
welcome event.” [4]

Masters and disciples are therefore anxious to hasten
the welcome event of a new civilization, which will be but the child of
the old one, and which will correspond to a revival of ancient arts and
high civilization. Accordingly, in the closing sentence of her book “The Key to
Theosophy”, Helena P. Blavatsky foresaw that if the theosophical movement
correctly discharges its duty - “earth will be a heaven in the twenty-first
century”.

There is still time. The right relationship between
“heaven” and “earth” or celestial and human consciousness must be a central
item in the agenda of the theosophical movement in the 21st century and beyond.
The next step in human evolution is the efficient use of one’s mind energy so
as to attain noble and correct goals and to benefit all beings. And this is no
vague dream. It constitutes a historical need to be fulfilled in due time
according to the Law of Karma. Each citizen can choose to be an active center
of such a silent revolution. A Mahatma of the Himalayas explained:

“The human brain is an exhaustless generator of the most refined quality of
cosmic force, out of the low, brute energy of nature; and the complete adept
has made himself a centre from which irradiate potentialities that beget
correlations upon correlations through Aeons to come. This is the key to the
mystery of his being able to project into and materialise in the visible world
the forms that his imagination has constructed out of inert cosmic matter in
the invisible world. The adept does not create anything new, but only utilises
and manipulates materials which nature has in store around him; a material
which throughout eternities has passed through all the forms; he has but to
choose the one he wants and recall it into objective existence.” [5]

A few paragraphs later, the Master expanded the idea:

“….Every thought of man upon being evolved passes into the inner world and
becomes an active entity by associating itself - coalescing, we might term it -
with an elemental; that is to say with one of the semi-intelligent forces of
the kingdoms. It survives as an active intelligence, a creature of the mind’s
begetting, for a longer or shorter period proportionate with the original
intensity of the cerebral action which generated it. Thus, a good thought is
perpetuated as an active beneficent power; an evil one as a maleficent demon.
And so man is continually peopling his current in space with a world of his
own, crowded with the offsprings of his fancies, desires, impulses, and
passions, a current which reacts upon any sensitive or and nervous organisation
which comes in contact with it in proportion to its dynamic intensity. The
Buddhist calls this his ‘Skandha’, the Hindu gives it the name of ‘Karma’; the
Adept evolves these shapes consciously, other men throw them off
unconsciously.” [6]

Three Objects in the Building of the Future

The intention of developing the best potentialities of
present humanity is a decisive element in the duty of the esoteric movement. It
also permeates and enlightens its three main goals.

The first object of the theosophical effort is to
create a nucleus of universal brotherhood. This building process must be
attained by giving individual and collective examples of correct action to be
followed. The second goal is the study of universal wisdom as taught in the
philosophical and religious literature of all time and all nations. With a
priority to Eastern traditions, this item helps remove attachment to tribal,
national or sectarian horizons.

The third goal is the investigation of the higher
powers latent in the consciousness of every human being. It opens an inner door
for present-day citizens to become pioneers of future mankind.

These three objects are inseparable. Each one of them
makes the other two possible. The second and third goals, for instance, are
instruments to attain the first one. And it is the first object which gives the
right motive and correct perspective from which to try and attain the other
two.

Selfishness is an expression of human ignorance and a
blind alley leading to the prison of unhappiness. The meditation on human
awakening is an altruistic practice. It might emerge as an answer to the
challenging statement made in the Mahatma Letters that mankind is the
great orphan, because so far relatively few individuals have developed a
sense of personal responsibility for its future. [7]

The following visualization places the rising powers
of human consciousness at the service of Universal Brotherhood, as duly
required by the law of karma and evolution. Altruism is the only correct way to
develop the transcendent potentialities of mind. It is also the most effective
way to achieve happiness.

This meditation can be practiced individually or
collectively. It is a good idea to make it happen in community associations. It
is of course better to meditate in a place where there is silence and clean
air. While its regular practice produces better effects than doing it just
once, it is beneficial even as an isolated event.

The Awakening of Mankind

1)Sit in an upright posture.

2) Adopt a
calmer and deeper breathing. Leave aside thoughts about short term matters.

3) Relax feet,
then legs, hands, arms. Relax the muscles of your face. Feel the contrast
between the freed muscles and the firm vertebral column. This is an image of
how we must face life: being firm in that which is essential, and flexible in
matters of secondary importance.

4) Remember
this is not your first incarnation, and slowly think of the suffering of
mankind in the last few millennia. Calculate the present levels of pain in the
different continents of our planet. Look at your own suffering: even hopes and
aspirations are often forms of pain. Reflect upon the fact that it is possible
to change afflictions into wisdom. Remember that no attachment to suffering is
necessary. Calmly consider the task now waiting for human beings: to learn in
one’s own soul the art of living with impersonal altruism. This task
slowly produces an enduring happiness to all.

5) Visualize
humans in every part of the world consciously learning lessons from the
obstacles they face. See wisdom and solidarity permeating relations among all
in each continent. Imagine humanity awakening now to the unlimited power of
mutual help. Keep before your mind’s eye, for an instant, the image of each
city and rural community rising to the brotherly solution of its problems. See
every place working as part of a global civilization based on the principles of
self-responsibility and mutual help.

6) See the
radio, television, paper media and Internet websites actively promoting
peaceful community goals, local and global. Take a calm look at the present
civilization, as it builds solidarity mechanisms in the vast, inspiring world
of your own creative mind. Strengthen your personal commitment with this vision.
Humanity is the Pascal’s circle, whose center is in the heart of every citizen;
and you are no exception.

7) Visualize
for a few moments sincere public leaders sharing the process of global
awakening. Remember this old axiom, that “there must be more merit in attaining
a goal which is difficult, as long as it is noble”. Imagine your city and
country as lands of universal peace. See them as ready from now to a new era of
fraternity. Keep this image with yourself. Preserve it in your mind and heart.

Every new phase in mankind’s evolution needs its own
pioneers. If you can realize you are co-responsible for the collective
awakening, consider taking the necessary steps for these visions and glimpses
of the future to remain strong and to gradually expand their influence. The
best possible way to develop your will-power is by helping accelerate the
on-going, already advanced, largely unconscious dawning of the next
civilization of universal brotherhood. [8]

[7] See “The
Mahatma Letters”, TUP, Pasadena, Letter VIII, pp. 32-33. In some 20 lines
dedicated to this subject, one can read these words from the Master: “For it
is ‘Humanity’ which is the great Orphan, the only disinherited one upon this
earth, my friend. And it is the duty of every man who is capable of
an unselfish impulse, to do something, however little, for its welfare.”

[8] An initial
version of the above Chapter was published in the book“A
Informação Solidária”, by Carlos C. Aveline, Edifurb, Blumenau, SC, Brazil, 86
pp., 2001, pp. 72-74.